Obituary for Robert Wade Wright Jr.
On Feb. 6, Bob traded in his earthly pilot wings for heavenly ones. He was born in 1944 in Rochester, PA, and moved with his parents to Minneapolis when he was 2.
He was preceded in death by parents, Helen and Robert Wright, and infant sister, Mary Helen. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Kelly-Wright and his sister, Jeanne Cornish (David), Aunt Virgina Morris, in-laws Jim Kelly, Tom Kelly, Kathy Kelly, Terri Krempin (Emil); nieces and nephews Therese Russell (John), Julie Ellison (John), Amy Buchmeier, Lisa Stachowski (Dennis), Mike Lillemo (Pam), Lisa Meehan (Jon), John Kelly, Casey Kelly, Kim Kelly, Nicole Krempin, Dustin Krempin (Erin), Derek Krempin (Miesha); great nieces and nephews Mason Stachowski, Josh Lillemo, Tyler Lillemo, Ryan Sheldon, Alex Russell, Timmy Russell, Jenna Polen, Aiden Kelly, Ayla Ellison, Bailey Buchmeier, Caliph Buchmeier; and great-great nieces Liliana Orellana and Lucia Orellana.
Bob's early south Minneapolis life included Visitation Elementary School where he served as an altar boy and was active in Boy Scouts. He graduated from De La Salle High School in 1962, where he was active in music and theater. He enjoyed singing and playing the guitar. During his high school years, he worked at a bakery, both before and after school to help pay for tuition. Following high school Bob attended Bemidji State College for one year. He then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he joined the Air Force ROTC and the Arnold Air Society. One year later he joined the Air Force, serving for 6 years, including 18 months at Cam Ranh Bay in Viet Nam. After his Air Force service, Bob graduated from Normandale Community College with an RN and Associate of Arts degree, leading to his joining the MN Air National Guard as a Senior Medical Technician, 109 AME Flight crew member on C-130 Hercules and C-9A Nightingale. He was always proud of his military service.
During this time he also became a member of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). As a lifetime member, he volunteered as both a pilot and a mechanic working with World War II airplanes. It was his participation in the CAF that led him to his real calling other than flying. He enrolled in the Minneapolis Technical Institute and obtained certifications in Air Frame and Power Plant maintenance (working on airplanes). After certification Bob was hired by Mesaba Airlines, leading to a 20 year career in aviation maintenance.
He was introduced to flying by his Uncle Jim, and was immediately hooked. He obtained his pilot's license and never looked back. At one time he was an instructor but mostly flying was for pure enjoyment. Over the years he introduced others to the joy of flying. He could identify a plane by the engine sounds and tell you everything about it. At the CAF dances, airshows and events he enjoyed talking with visitors about the airplanes and all aspects of the volunteer organization.
His down-to-earth interests included photography, model aircraft building and riding his motorcycle. He was the main cook at home and took pleasure in collecting recipes (lots of them once he learned to print them off the computer). He loved trying new things and was a wizard with leftovers. His homemade pies were legendary and often requested.
Bob and Mary Ann were married in July, 1991. They had a good life, enjoying each other's company no matter what they were doing. They traveled well together. Some of their favorite travels were the motorcycle charity rides, trips to Duluth and the North Shore and recent trips to Blowing Rock,NC as they reacquainted with some cousins. They also were content simply being together, watching Jeopardy, mysteries, nature programs, or quietly reading a book or the newspaper. Together they supported many good causes and organizations: TPT, MPR, the Science Museum of Minnesota, International Wolf Center, Lake Superior Maritime Museum, Toys for Tots, the Arboretum, The American Air Museum in Britain, the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial Fund, and, of course, the CAF.
Bob was a good, kind and gentle man with a witty, often unexpected and sometimes silly sense of humor. He was loved by many. Our loss is heaven's gain.
Funeral service is Friday, Feb. 17, 10:00 am reviewal, Mass at 11:00 am, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 Third Ave. S., Mpls. In lieu of flower arrangements, memorials preferred to CAF, 310 Airport Road, Hangar 3, South St. Paul, MN 55075 for the B-25 engine fund; or bring one flower to add to a vase. Arrangements by Gill Brothers Funeral Home (www.gillbrothers.com).
He was preceded in death by parents, Helen and Robert Wright, and infant sister, Mary Helen. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Kelly-Wright and his sister, Jeanne Cornish (David), Aunt Virgina Morris, in-laws Jim Kelly, Tom Kelly, Kathy Kelly, Terri Krempin (Emil); nieces and nephews Therese Russell (John), Julie Ellison (John), Amy Buchmeier, Lisa Stachowski (Dennis), Mike Lillemo (Pam), Lisa Meehan (Jon), John Kelly, Casey Kelly, Kim Kelly, Nicole Krempin, Dustin Krempin (Erin), Derek Krempin (Miesha); great nieces and nephews Mason Stachowski, Josh Lillemo, Tyler Lillemo, Ryan Sheldon, Alex Russell, Timmy Russell, Jenna Polen, Aiden Kelly, Ayla Ellison, Bailey Buchmeier, Caliph Buchmeier; and great-great nieces Liliana Orellana and Lucia Orellana.
Bob's early south Minneapolis life included Visitation Elementary School where he served as an altar boy and was active in Boy Scouts. He graduated from De La Salle High School in 1962, where he was active in music and theater. He enjoyed singing and playing the guitar. During his high school years, he worked at a bakery, both before and after school to help pay for tuition. Following high school Bob attended Bemidji State College for one year. He then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he joined the Air Force ROTC and the Arnold Air Society. One year later he joined the Air Force, serving for 6 years, including 18 months at Cam Ranh Bay in Viet Nam. After his Air Force service, Bob graduated from Normandale Community College with an RN and Associate of Arts degree, leading to his joining the MN Air National Guard as a Senior Medical Technician, 109 AME Flight crew member on C-130 Hercules and C-9A Nightingale. He was always proud of his military service.
During this time he also became a member of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). As a lifetime member, he volunteered as both a pilot and a mechanic working with World War II airplanes. It was his participation in the CAF that led him to his real calling other than flying. He enrolled in the Minneapolis Technical Institute and obtained certifications in Air Frame and Power Plant maintenance (working on airplanes). After certification Bob was hired by Mesaba Airlines, leading to a 20 year career in aviation maintenance.
He was introduced to flying by his Uncle Jim, and was immediately hooked. He obtained his pilot's license and never looked back. At one time he was an instructor but mostly flying was for pure enjoyment. Over the years he introduced others to the joy of flying. He could identify a plane by the engine sounds and tell you everything about it. At the CAF dances, airshows and events he enjoyed talking with visitors about the airplanes and all aspects of the volunteer organization.
His down-to-earth interests included photography, model aircraft building and riding his motorcycle. He was the main cook at home and took pleasure in collecting recipes (lots of them once he learned to print them off the computer). He loved trying new things and was a wizard with leftovers. His homemade pies were legendary and often requested.
Bob and Mary Ann were married in July, 1991. They had a good life, enjoying each other's company no matter what they were doing. They traveled well together. Some of their favorite travels were the motorcycle charity rides, trips to Duluth and the North Shore and recent trips to Blowing Rock,NC as they reacquainted with some cousins. They also were content simply being together, watching Jeopardy, mysteries, nature programs, or quietly reading a book or the newspaper. Together they supported many good causes and organizations: TPT, MPR, the Science Museum of Minnesota, International Wolf Center, Lake Superior Maritime Museum, Toys for Tots, the Arboretum, The American Air Museum in Britain, the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial Fund, and, of course, the CAF.
Bob was a good, kind and gentle man with a witty, often unexpected and sometimes silly sense of humor. He was loved by many. Our loss is heaven's gain.
Funeral service is Friday, Feb. 17, 10:00 am reviewal, Mass at 11:00 am, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 Third Ave. S., Mpls. In lieu of flower arrangements, memorials preferred to CAF, 310 Airport Road, Hangar 3, South St. Paul, MN 55075 for the B-25 engine fund; or bring one flower to add to a vase. Arrangements by Gill Brothers Funeral Home (www.gillbrothers.com).